WVU sweeps Utah and extends winning streak to 7 games, 14-4 – WV MetroNews

GRANVILLE, W.Va. — With their fifth victory in five days, the WVU baseball team completed a series sweep and a doubleheader sweep of Utah on a soggy Saturday, taking the nightcap 14-4 in 8 innings. With inclement weather in the forecast for Sunday, a doubleheader was scheduled. Following Friday night’s 6-3, series-opening win, the Mountaineers played three games in a span of just over 24 hours.

“The game requires attention to detail and focus,” said WVU head coach Steve Sabins. “We really started talking about it at BYU after the Thursday night game. We went up 4-0 and lost that game. We really emphasized the fact that you have to play nine innings. Today, it was kind of the running joke that we needed to play 18 innings hard, 18 innings all day today and don’t give away an inning.

West Virginia won Saturday’s opener, 6-4 to secure the series victory.

In Saturday’s second game, West Virginia (27-4, 7-3 Big 12) pounded out 17 hits. Sabins used the exact same batting order for both ends of the doubleheader.

“That was the first time this season that we had the same lineup — order, positions, everything. I was a little uncomfortable with that. Usually in a doubleheader, you want a little bit of a fresh dynamic, a little something new, some fresh legs.”

Eight Mountaineers had at least one base hit in game two. Spencer Barnett led the way, going 4-for-4 and he drove in a pair of runs.

“He has been so invaluable for our team. He handles it really good. He hasn’t been in the lineup everyday and he still gets a little [ticked] at me every time. Every time I talk to him about it, it is a process and he has to evolve. He’s going to get more and more opportunities.”

Skylar King went 2-for-4 while driving in a game-best four runs.

“I try to treat each plate appearance as one battle. I just try to win the battle in that moment,” King said.

After collecting three hits in Saturday’s opener, Brodie Kresser added three more hits in Game 2. North Marion High School alumnus Jace Rinehart went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

“I think for me it started last night,” Rinehart said. “With a quick turnaround, it was important for me to heal my body and go to sleep as soon as possible to get ready for today because we had 18 innings.”

Parkersburg South graduate Grant Hussey also went 2-for-4 and he hit his second home run in as many days.

Jack Kartsonas retired ten batters in relief of starting pitcher Carson Estridge. Kartsonas struck out six while allowing just one run.

“Today was a great sign,” Sabins said of Kartsonas. “He held his velo for 3.1 innings. His breaking ball was as good as it has been and he had the changeup.”

Bridgeport High School graduate Ben McDougal retired the side in order in the eighth inning.

Utah fell to 13-16 (2-10 Big 12).

The Mountaineers have won seven consecutive games and five in a row in Big 12 play. West Virginia will host Penn State Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before returning to conference play next weekend at Houston.